Ellen "Nelly" L. Rickard

So you really existed, Nellie! I'm glad you did!

I heard about you from generations gone by.

but they left a question mark in my mind about you!

Now that I have found you in my research, I was

ecstatic that you are real!

All I know about you was what I overheard: that you had red hair,

and loved poetry!

I have the little book you made with your own handwriting

copying lovely poems; or maybe you wrote those poems!

You had 17 years with my "Little Granny", your mother,

also Ellen Rickard! Why such a short life?

There have been three Ellen Rickards in three generations!

I only had the pleasure of knowing my cousin, Ellen Rickard!

Your mother was my great grandmother, and you are my great Aunt!

Kathleen Anne Elick